Combination travel viewing platform and protective carrying case for smart phones and tablets

ABSTRACT

A combination viewing platform and the protection carrying case having a first upper enclosure and a lower enclosure, the upper enclosure being hingedly connected at a first connection structure to the lower enclosure to form in a closed position a compact case. The upper and lower enclosures are juxtaposed with each other in a closed position with the upper enclosure having at an outside surface to which an elastic sleeve is attached, and at an inside surface, at least one mounting pocket for holding at least one personal electronics device having a screen display. The mounting pocket is securely connected to the inner surface of the upper enclosure for rotation at a second connection and a movable tab structure varies an angle of the display relative to the interior surface of the upper enclosure. The carrying case can also have a plurality of J-hooks attached at edges of the upper enclosure for attachment to portions of a supporting seat structure for stably holding the upper enclosure at a vertical location of a seat back.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/473,536, filed Mar. 20, 2017, and entitled “Combination Travel Viewing Platform and Protective Carrying Case for Smart Phones and Tablets”, incorporated by reference, in its entirety, herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a protective carrying case for smart phones and tablets that also serves as a viewing platform while traveling.

BACKGROUND

Currently there are a number of solutions for manufacturing carrying cases for smart phones and tablets. One of these solutions attempts to protect the device, but this solution fails to meet the needs of the market because it does not also serve as a viewing platform. Another solution attempts to carry the device, but this solution is similarly unable to meet the needs of the market because it does not provide a way to prop the device to a viewing position in order to acceptably view the screen display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to have an apparatus that protects the device while also having the ability to acceptably prop the device in a viewing position. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have an apparatus that can attach to the back of virtually any seat in a car or plane. Still further, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus that can also serve as a table tray when needed. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for an apparatus that protects and carries electronic devices, and also serves as a viewing platform.

The invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a protective carrying case for smart phones and tablets that also serves as a viewing platform while traveling, and which provides a convenient way to carry and use electronic devices while traveling in a car or on a plane.

Accordingly, in one exemplary embodiment, the invention is a protective carrying case for smart phones and tablets having hooks and/or an elastic sleeve for attaching the device to a supporting seat related element. It also can include, in an exemplary embodiment, a convenient tray which can hold drinks, snacks, earbuds, or other objects.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a combination viewing platform and protective carrying case an upper enclosure having an interior and an exterior surface, and a lower enclosure having an exterior and an interior surface, the upper enclosure being connected at a first hinge-like structure to the lower enclosure to form a folding structure which in a closed position is a secure carrying case, with the upper and lower enclosures being juxtaposed to each other. The upper enclosure has at its exterior surface, an attached elastic sleeve, and further has, at an interior surface, at least one mounting pocket for holding at least one personal electronics device having a screen display. Each mounting pocket is securely connected to the interior surface of the upper enclosure for rotation about a second hinge-like connection. A movable tab structure is provided for fixing an angle of the mounting pocket relative to the interior surface of the upper enclosure; and

-   a plurality of J-hooks are attached at edges of the upper enclosure     for attachment to portions of a supporting seat structure for stably     holding said upper enclosure to the seat structure. The apparatus     can further have internal magnets in the lower and upper body     portions of the enclosures for maintaining a closed position.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus has J-hooks that allow the user to hang the device from the seatback on some airplanes or the head rest of the seat in an automobile.

The apparatus thus advantageously fulfills the need for an electronic device holder to use while traveling, and the apparatus advantageously provides a protective carrying case for smart phones and tablets that does not suffer from any of the problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions.

It is still further an advantage of the invention that in use, apparatus can provide more leg room for the user/traveler.

Still further, in another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus has slotted grooves on the upper body, which allow the user to adjust the angle of their smart device and view the screen from a comfortable position.

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only, so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those practiced in the field of the invention. Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows, taken in connection with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the back of the folded tray.

FIG. 2 shows the bottom of the open tray.

FIG. 3 shows the front of the closed tray.

FIG. 4 shows the front of the folded tray.

FIG. 5 shows the side of the folded tray with the screen out.

FIG. 6 shows the side of the open tray.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the back of the folded tray with the screen out.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the back of the open tray.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the folded tray with the screen out.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the closed tray.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the open tray.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of the closed tray.

FIG. 13 shows a top view of the folded tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Following is a more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

The invention is directed to a protective carrying case for smart phones and tablets that also serves as a viewing platform when traveling. The apparatus of the invention can attach to the back of virtually any seat in a car or plane, and can also serve as a table tray when needed.

Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1-13 show an exemplary embodiment of a protective case and travel viewing platform according to the present invention and generally referred to as device 10. The device 10 according to this embodiment is formed of rigid materials in a hinged or folded coupling to provide a protective case member 100 having a closed or storage position 12 (FIG. 10) and an open or deployed position 14 (FIG. 8). In the open position, the upper and lower enclosures form an angle of approximately 90°. The device 10 is generally adapted for attachment to a seat back, wherein the device 10 can be affixed to the seat back for viewing by a user. Referring to FIG. 2, the case 100 of the present exemplary embodiment has an upper enclosure, back portion 102, and a lower enclosure, bottom portion 103, arranged in hinged communication and arranged in a modified clamshell configuration, wherein the back portion 102 and bottom portion 103 move from an overlapped and aligned closed position to an open position. The back portion and the bottom portion can be maintained in the closed position by embedded magnets, not shown. The back portion 102 has, in this exemplary embodiment, a generally planar outer surface 142 which is secured a connected elastic sleeve 120 for positioning around a stationary object, such as a seat back or an airline seat tray table. The back portion further advantageously has a pair of J-hooks 121 positioned on opposed edges of the back portion for engagement with, for example, an airline seatback tray table or an automotive seat head rest.

The lower enclosure, bottom portion 103, has, in the exemplary embodiment, two sections, a first section 130 and second section 131 in a hinge-like communication through, for example, a hinge 132. The second section 130 is positioned and connected through a hinge-like coupling 142 to the back portion 102. The first section 130 can be folded below, and contact with, the underside of the second section 131 in a compressed or collapsed state (Figs.5, 9) to provide a more compact viewing structure and advantageously, in an airline setting, more leg room for the user. An interior portion of the second section 131 includes recesses, for example for a pair of cup holders 1311 and a snack tray 1312, in a generally recessed structure to allow for placement of articles within these areas.

An interior surface 101 (FIG. 4) of the back portion 102 is generally configured with pockets to receive and secure the placement of a personal electronic device within either of, in the illustrated embodiment, one of two different sized sleeve or pocket members 110, 111 (depending upon the size of the personal electronics device) and wherein the sleeve members 110, 111 are in hinge-like communication with the back portion 102 through, for example, a hinge, such that their viewing angle position can changed through engagement and movement of a tab 112 (FIG. 5) received within grooves in the interior surface of the upper enclosure. When the tab structure is moved in the grooves, the angle of the sleeve or pocket members relative to the back surface of the upper enclosure, will change, enabling the user to set the display screen at a comfortable viewing angle.

Various related embodiments of the invention are also described in Appendix A, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those practiced in the field to which this invention pertains.

It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those practiced in the field, and relying upon the description in this specification and the attached drawings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination viewing platform and protective carrying case comprising an upper enclosure having an interior and an exterior surface, and a lower enclosure having an exterior and an interior surface, the upper enclosure being hingedly connected at a first hinge-like structure to the lower enclosure to form in a closed position a secure carrying case, the upper and lower enclosures being juxtaposed to each other; the upper enclosure having at its exterior surface, an attached elastic sleeve, and having at an interior surface, at least one mounting pocket for holding at least one personal electronics device having a screen display; each mounting pocket being securely connected to the interior surface of the upper enclosure for rotation about a second hinge-like connection; a movable tab structure for varying an angle of the mounting pocket relative to the interior surface of the upper enclosure; and a plurality of J-hooks attached at edges of the upper enclosure for attachment to portions of a supporting seat structure for stably holding said upper enclosure to the seat structure.
 2. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein the lower enclosure has articulated elements and one of said articulated elements contains storage and holding sections.
 3. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein the lower enclosure has a first and a second section, and the first section is connected in hinge -like connection to a second section in a second position, the first section and the second section able to form a substantially planar surface in one position, and the second section being foldable beneath the first section; and wherein the first section has a hinge-like connection with the upper enclosure.
 4. The carrying case of claim 3 wherein at least one of the first and second sections has recesses for storing and holding items.
 5. The carrying case of claim 1 further comprising a tab structure which slides in grooves in said upper enclosure interior surface for adjusting the viewing angle of devices placed within the pockets of the upper enclosure, when said tab structure moves within said grooves.
 6. A combination viewing platform and protective carrying case comprising an upper enclosure having an interior and an exterior surface, and a lower enclosure having an exterior and an interior surface, the upper enclosure being hingedly connected at a first hinge-like structure to the lower enclosure to form in a closed position a secure carrying case, the upper and lower enclosures being juxtaposed to each other; the upper enclosure having at its exterior surface, an attached elastic sleeve, and having at an interior surface, at least one mounting pocket for holding at least one personal electronics device having a screen display; each mounting pocket being securely connected to the interior surface of the upper enclosure for rotation about a second hinge-like connection; a movable tab structure for varying an angle of the mounting pocket relative to the interior surface of the upper enclosure; and a plurality of J-hooks attached at edges of the upper enclosure for attachment to portions of a supporting seat structure for stably holding said upper enclosure to the seat structure; wherein said double hinged sections have recesses for storing and holding items; wherein the lower enclosure has a first section connected in an articulated manner, at a hinge, to a second section, the first section and the second section able to form a substantially planar surface in one position, and the second section being foldable beneath the first section; and wherein the first section has a hinge-like connection with the upper enclosure. 